Traitor

John Shakespeare [Publication Order] #4

by Rory Clements

The Elizabethan navy has a secret weapon: an optical instrument so powerful it gives England unassailable superiority at sea. Spain will stop at nothing to steal it and seize the two men who understand its secrets - its operative William Ivory, known as the 'Queen's Eye', and its inventor, the maverick magician Dr Dee.

With a second Armada threatened, intelligencer John Shakespeare is sent north to escort Dr Dee to safety. But his mission is far from straightforward. Dee's host, the Earl of Derby, cousin to Elizabeth, is dying in agony, apparently poisoned. Who wants him dead and why? What lies behind the lynching of the recusant priest Father Matthew Lamb? And what exactly is the connection between these events and the mysterious and beautiful Lady Eliska? While Shakespeare attempts to untangle a plot that points to treachery at the very highest reaches of government, he also faces serious accusations far closer to home. With so much at stake, must he choose between family and his duty to Queen and country?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Thriller, Crime

496 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 2012

About the author

Rory Clements has had a long and successful newspaper career, including being features editor and associate editor of Today, editor of the Daily Mail's Good Health Pages, and editor of the health section at the Evening Standard. He now writes full-time in an idyllic corner of Norfolk, England.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2012, and this is the 4th in the series, but the 6th in chronological order, and this story is set in the year, AD1594, during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

This mystery is mainly about a Navy secret invented by Dr Dee, and John Shakespeare must accompany him to the north and towards safety.

On this journey they are attacked from all sides, while the Earl of Derby, cousin to Elizabeth, is poisoned, and many other misadventures will come their way, before they will reach their final destination.

What is to follow is an intriguing and compelling mystery, where treachery within the highest reaches of Government is plotted, while closer to home some are seriously accused, and in this environment of betrayal and backstabbing John Shakespeare must find a way to clear his name and family, and at the same time to succeed in his mission to save Queen and Country.

Very much recommended, for this another terrific addition to this magnificent series, and that's why I want to call this great book: "A Most Captivating Mystery"!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I circled back to a series I had once been immersed in and recall I traded off from this one to another series by Patricia Finney (writing as P. F. Chisholm) back in 2014. It was not difficult to pick up and I made it through this one featuring the perspective glass, Dr Dee and others who had the favor of the queen. This was more a trip down memory lane for me but was sad to see Shakespeare's home go up in flames. The author supplies good lexicon and character descriptions. I am somewhat in awe of myself that I read so many of these books.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Traitor” is the fourth book in the John Shakespeare series. In this book, John Shakespeare is called upon to protect the new weapon of the Elizabethan navy – an optical instrument which gives the user an unimaginable advantage at sea and its creator, Dr Dee to prevent him from selling his knowledge to the enemy.
With a second armada being threatened by Spain, they will stop at nothing to try and get hold of this new instrument. Moving from London to Lancashire to Brittany, the book is full of twists, turns, political intrigue and subterfuge – making for a thrilling read – as the book gathered pace I did not want to put it down. As always Rory Clements makes Elizabethan England come alive with vivid description.
This book was much more enjoyable than the previous book and didn’t seem to lose direction at all.

[Mark Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent story in the Shakespeare series as he investigates the death of the Duke of Derby, searches for his adopted son and is then sent to help capture a castle from the Spanish. Very entertaining and this is a great series.

[Magpie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne bookclub 2024 ✅

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This, the fourth book in a series featuring John Shakespeare who is an agent of Lord Cecil. Cecil is the powerful head who directs all efforts to protect Queen Elizabeth I from all enemies who wish her ill. Those include France and Spain who are involved in setting a Catholic on the throne and those Englishmen allied with the foreign powers who are willing to risk a horrible death as traitors.
John Shakespeare soon finds himself enmeshed in investigating tangled plot that puts him, his friends and family in high danger.
He is commissioned to go to the north country where strong Catholic sentiment lingers, there to do two things. First, find and protect a man who has made a wonder of the world with great importance the newly invented spyglass. An invaluable tool for naval and military, the Object and its maker must be protected from all who should steal the glass and kidnap the maker. The second task is to look into the loyalty of a Lord who may have regal ambitions.
From this brief summary , the plot sends out twisting threads that involve charges of witchcraft,
poison, a mysterious , beautiful, beguiling foreign Temptress, a band of vagabonds with a feisty vixen, treachery and murder...not to mention the siege of an impregnable fort.
“Traitor” is well titled for there is a traitor at the center of the story. Who that is the question John Shakespeare must discover. The book is enjoyable, the characters are fully interesting and the author has obviously studied well Elizabethan common and court life to be able to write convincingly of it.
As noted “ Traitor” is number four in the series, it it can be read as a stand alone. Like me , you will want to read more about the adventures of John Shakespeare. ( Yes, his brother, Will makes a brief appearance.)
Cautions: some armed combat causes blood to flow. Romantic, not graphic love scene or two. Occasional crude language from lowlifes.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Shakespeare series. Another book that I just couldn’t put down. Shakespeare is initially sent up north, to Lancashire, to the house of the Earl of Derby, to safely bring Dr Dee back down south. Dee is the creator of the much coveted perspective glass, essentially an early version of what we now know to be a telescope. Spain is desperate to get their hands on the device, but if they can’t, would they then get the next best thing? The man with the knowledge to create it again. As with all these historical crime/detective novels, nothing is ever simple. First, the Queen’s cousin, Ferdinando, Lord Strange, and Earl of Derby, dies under suspicious circumstances. Shakespeare is convinced that there’s foul play. Secondly, Shakespeare hears of a problem regarding his son, at Oxford university. It is said that Andrew has committed a treasonous crime, and has gone on the run from the law. Shakespeare knows that Andrew would never do the thing in which he has been accused. But he knows that he must search Oxford and the surrounding area, and find his son. Thirdly, Robert Cecil sends a message to Shakespeare, that the plans have changed. Shakespeare is to become a double agent, gaining the trust of the Spanish army over in Brittany, in order to aid the English navy and army is the conquest of a fortress. This all seems incredibly confusing, and you must wonder how on earth these situations are linked. Trust that they indeed are, and the tale to be told is one of action, rich details, excitement, despair, and just brilliance.

[Eric Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the late 16th century , at a time when the Catholic nations - led by Spain - are trying to overthrow the Protestant monarchy in England ( a bit like the EU and Brexit today ). With the earl of Derby seen as a threat to Queen Elizabeth 1 , steps need to be taken to ensure her safe continuance following the removal of Mary Queen of Scots . With multiple sub-plots and numerous extraneous characters , the book becomes overly complicated and the author ( rather than the reader ) has to explain at the end of the book what has been going on - not my favourite type of ending , but in this instance the only way to unravel the whole story . Good but not his best , I suspect .

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book but for some reason it took me ages to get into it. I felt like the main character kind of lost some of his impetus and I felt like the sex was just kind of tacked on. Other than this I still really liked it. All the characters felt genuine and although I did get tired of one of the peripheral character's catchphrases, I still wanted to know what would happen in the end and I have bought the next book in the series. I felt like maybe my ambivalence towards this particular book was my problem rather than the author's. Sometimes you're just not in the right place to fully enjoy a book and I think this might have been the case in this instance.

Onwards with the series!

[Angela Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Late 16th century, Elizabethan England. Historical story of betrayal. The Navy has a secret weapon; a telescope which is seen as magical. The Earl of Darby is poisoned and John Shakespeare has a family matter to override all his commitments. We are taken to the vagabond community and on voyage to France where war is in action with the crown defending Protestant rule. Research for this novel is exacting and reading takes us closer to the events of the time.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1594 and Shakespeare is instructed by Sir Robert Cecil to bring Dr John Dee back from Lancashire and to protect him. Because he is one of the makers of Elizabeth's navy secret weapon - an optical instrument. That knowledge and the instrument must not fall into enemy hands. But nothing in Tudor England is ever straightforward or simple.
A very enjoyable well-written thriller

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, John S goes up against the Spanish again, this time on a daring and personally dangerous mission which shows his ability as a soldier as well as a spy. We also see his gentle side, again, and gain an insight into the life of a vagabond (not nice) in Elizabeth's England. His adopted son is growing, what next?

[Stephen Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult to put down

Once again a terrific action historical thriller and the wonderful character, Boltfoot Cooper, saves the day more than once. John Shakespeare is a main character who is brave when need be but also the most likeable agent for his queen and country.

[Kieran Malcolmson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historic novel

Another interesting and engaging John Shakespeare tale. A good story with excellent description of the the time period. Perhaps felt there were slightly too many characters and unanswered questions about what happened to them in the end.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable

Shakespeare’s adventures take him ranging far and wide this time, along with some adventure for Boltfoot and for Shakespeare’s adoptive son, Andrew. It is different to the previous entries in the series, but still a good read.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good Shakespeare book. If you liked the first 3 you will certainly like this one also. It did drag a bit as they neared the battle at the fortress but picked up again nicely after. The sudden reformation of Andrew was a bit unbelievable. But will definitely continue with the series.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alas, after the previous book finally managed to hook me, with this one we're back to too longwinded and convoluted a story to maintain my interest all the way through. Maybe it's time to give up on this series after all?

[Michael Hillman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elizabethan thriller - seems to closely follow real events in the war against the Spanish, though with a few extra characters, including the main character - John Shakespeare - who is the brother of William.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok-good

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and action-filled mystery with a few too many subplots/side stories.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of spying and sneaking and harshness again. This series used to be a little lighter I thought but maybe I'm fooling myself. Plenty of action and I enjoyed the enhanced spyglass technology.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Historical Novel And Series

Once again Rory Clements delivers a cracking tale in his John Shakespeare series. I have yet to read a book by this author that disappoints and this series brings the Elizabethan age vividly to life.
Highly recommended series and author.

[Ian Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic story in the Shakespeare series, with our main man roaming to the North of England and across the sea to Brittany. Superb again from Rory Clements.

[Phyllida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good thriller.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Elizabethan thriller. Most entertaining.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series

[Karen Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first in this series.
Enjoyed it - sounded relatively authentic historical
Fiction. Want to read more in the series

[Linda Allardyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Felt like I was in the time. Great description always. Have read four Shakespeare books and looking forward to the next one.

[teresa smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just a who done it

Not just a who done it. but a how did the do it & why. All woven through a really complex plot. Exciting & compelling story lines. Eminently enjoyable.

[Wenners · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series - on to the next instalment.